Understanding and Experiences of Humanitarian Reform Process in Zimbabwe - A Short Analysis
Abstract
The Humanitarian reform process started in Zimbabwe in 2007 with the proposal for introduction of clusters. Significant progress has been made since the 2007 and particularly in the last few months where cluster lead agencies have hired full time cluster coordinators and regular dialogue between the actors is taking place. But the progress made so far is patchy and there is a need to identify the gaps and address them so that the whole reform process could reach its maximum potential and bring meaningful changes in the lives of the communities in crisis. There is a need for NGOs particularly the smaller international NGOs (INGOs) and national NGOs (NNGOs) to be made aware about the whole reform process and the principles behind it so that they are able to participate in a meaningful manner as equal partners. There is also a need to revisit the issues related to NGO co-leadership, resource allocation and decision making processes so that cluster members do feel that there is something for them in it. The issue of downward accountability to the communities and to the NGOs within the cluster requires attention. The Cluster system as a whole should be accountable to the communities in crisis for whose benefit, supposedly, these reforms were initiated in the first place.
Citation
10 pp.
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